Abscess - intra-abdominal

Depending on the location, symptoms may include:

• Abdominal pain and distention
• Chills
• Diarrhea
• Fever
• Lack of appetite
• Nausea
• Rectal tenderness and fullness
• Vomiting
• Weakness

A complete blood count may show a higher than normal white blood count. A comprehensive metabolic panel may show liver, kidney, or blood chemistry problems.

A CT scan of the abdomen will usually reveal an intra-abdominal abscess. After the CT scan is done, a needle may be placed through the skin into the abscess cavity to confirm the diagnosis and treat the abscess.

Other tests may include:

• Abdominal x-ray
• Ultrasound of the abdomen

Sometimes surgery called a laparotomy may be needed to diagnose this condition.

Images

Intra-abdominal abscess, CT scan

Meckels diverticulum

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Review Date: 07/07/2010
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; George F. Longstreth, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program, San Diego, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)